By Darlene Bowers
“I came to Ada for college, met Mark, and never left,” shares Kim Light who grew up in Richwood, Ohio, about 45 miles southeast of Ada.
The couple lived in town until about seven years ago when they moved north of town. “I love the sense of community here; knowing your neighbors, and moving to the country reminds me of how I grew up. Also seeing people I know in town or at the grocery is a nice part of living in Ada, too.”
Kim is assistant senior manager of accounting and management information systems for Ada Technologies, Inc. (ATI) in Ada. Her days are filled with work, family, and activities of her two children. Megan (12) and Justin (15) are involved with multiple sports, 4-H, and youth group and church activities.
“I don’t have a normal day,” says Kim when asked to share how a normal day looks for her. She explains how each day she runs a mental checklist of what activities are ahead for the day. On the rare occasion when her evening is not filled she says she tries to keep that a secret so it stays that way.
Kim enjoys scrapbooking, family, kids, and actually enjoys mowing grass too. Many parents and youngsters around Ada probably identify Kim with Ada Cloverbuds. In 2009, the Cloverbud program, a 4-H starter group for children in Kindergarten through 2nd grade (children not yet old enough for regular 4-H) was underway with a club in Kenton.
Kim’s husband, Mark Light, had undertaken the Hardin County 4-H educator position and together the two decided it was time for Ada to have a Cloverbuds group. The fact that their youngest child, Megan, was Cloverbud age was another important factor in the decision.
With the help of other volunteers, the Ada Cloverbuds group began and is now in its sixth year. Current advisors working together with Kim include Arlene Allison, Lori Poling, Kristen Ferguson and Barb Smith.
“I love the excitement of the kids this age and the interactions with them. I also like the hugs and the waves or shouts of greeting when I see the kids out in the community,” shares Kim.
The website for the Cloverbud program, which began to take shape in Ohio 4-H in the late 1990s, states that the program is designed to be age appropriate, fun and positive, leader-directed, activity-based, noncompetitive, success-oriented and group-centered.
“I want to share the foundations of 4-H with the Cloverbuds kids. We learn the 4-H pledge and we talk about the four Hs of head, heart, hands, and health. We learn the basics. But I want the Cloverbuds kids to remember having FUN!” Kim emphasizes. “I am very appreciative of all the advisors who have helped and are helping. If not for them this program would not be a success,” she adds.
On a typical night at Cloverbuds there is a theme. A veterinarian may give a talk, a 4-H club may bring animals, a teacher may visit to share chemistry experiments or plant knowledge or it may be craft night.
“We try to give an introduction to and mimic different aspects of 4-H projects that are offered later when the kids join a 4-H club,” explains Kim. Projects such as cooking, sewing, creative arts, robotics, bottle rockets, and animal husbandry have been part of the Ada Cloverbuds meetings.
Kim remembers her own 4-H experience as her mother was a 4-H advisor. She also recalls the excitement and eagerness to become old enough to join 4-H. The Magnetic Busy Bees, the Claibourne Calico Cooks and a livestock club were all part of Kim’s childhood as she showed hogs at the fair and took many other 4-H projects.
“It was a bit different back then at our fair,” recalls Kim, “we actually had judging during fair time instead of prior to it as Hardin County does. So we’d be busy getting our livestock to the fair and settled and then rushing back and forth from home to prepare for judging of our other projects.”
A recollection of a yeast bread flop came to mind necessitating a second speedy preparation. Kim is eager to mention the pride and admiration she has for her mother now looking back at how she helped Kim and her older sister juggle all of those activities. Kim is sharing that same love and learning experience with her own family and all the Ada Cloverbuds graduates who will surely treasure similar memories of their time spent together as well.
